Get Brushing: Fun Ways To Help Your Child With Home Dental Care

Your child isn't into dental care. They can run around the backyard for what seems like ever and they play on the climber at the park for an entire afternoon, but when it comes to brushing their teeth for two minutes twice a day, they just won't cooperate.

Don't stress. There are plenty of ways to help your child build oral care skills — and without an epic battle. You can make brushing, and other dental care, fun for your child. With a little creativity and some patience, you can help your child understand why dental care is important.

Along with understanding the importance of brushing, you can also help your child get to work and keep their teeth clean. How can you help your child to brush and care for their teeth? Take a look at these healthy mouth tips.

GET SILLY

How silly can you get for two minutes? That's the time it takes for your child to brush their teeth. Or rather, that's the time it should take your child to brush their teeth. Instead of asking them to stare blankly at the mirror as you time them for 120 seconds, offer a trade.

What is this trade? If they brush the entire time, you'll be as silly as you can be. Get out a goofy outfit, put on clown shoes, dance around like crazy or make funny voices while your child brushes. Get the other family members in on the act and have them do something silly in exchange for brushing time. You can even switch things up and have your child act silly as you brush your teeth for two minutes.

PLAY MUSIC

Pick a favorite tune and time it. Play the music as your child brushes, then cut the song off at the two-minute mark.

Your child can enjoy the sounds of a much-loved song as they brush. Listening to the music will make it seem like the time is flying by. However, don't encourage or allow your child to dance as they brush. This is a safety hazard. If your child is moving too much, they could poke or injure their mouth.

MAKE A MODEL

Along with learning about the time it takes to brush, your child also needs to master the art of brushing. This means making sure that they know the different parts of the mouth and how much attention each area needs.

There are a few options here. You can use a doll or a stuffed animal as a model. If it doesn't have teeth, you can use a set of toy teeth. Just put them in the doll or toy's mouth, give your child a toothbrush and help them brush the right way. This process includes turning the brush at a 45-degree angle, brushing the outsides of all of the teeth in a back-and-forth motion and brushing vertically on the insides of the teeth.

You can also get artsy and have your child construct a mock mouth with teeth. Use modeling clay or papier-mâché to make a mouth. Your child can then use it to practice brushing.

DRAW PICTURES

How much is your child learning about proper oral care? Test their knowledge in a crafty way. Instead of asking question after question, have your child draw or paint what they now know about brushing.

Try a comic book approach, and ask your child to create a brushing sequence that illustrates everything they need to do. This can include getting the brush ready with toothpaste, brushing different areas of the mouth and rinsing.

Along with brushing, your child needs regular check-ups. If you're looking for pediatric dental care, schedule an appointment with Affordable Dental today.